Vanessa Morgan is moving forward.
More than three years after the then-pregnant Riverdale alum and husband Michael Kopech broke up, she reflected on navigating this difficult period while preparing to welcome her first baby.
"Part of the biggest thing is that embarrassment, it's not wanting to face that you have a broken family," Vanessa told Rachel Bilson and Olivia Allen on the March 11 episode of their Broad Ideas podcast. "You get married and you want to have that fantasy. You feel disappointed to tell people that it didn't work out."
Michael, 27, filed for divorce in July 2020 after seven month of marriage and just one month after the couple announced Vanessa's pregnancy. She welcomed River, now 3, in January 2021.
"I think that's the beauty of life," the 31-year-old admitted. "It doesn't always go as planned and it's the journey. It ended up being the biggest blessing of my life, but in the moment, it's so painful."
"You mourn the future that never happened," Vanessa continued. "You mourn the fantasy that you created, and that wasn't the reality that was the best alignment for me."
That's not to say it wasn't difficult to experience her pregnancy and postpartum depression alone.
"I had to seek a higher power," she explained, "going into prayer, going into meditation—going to bed crying every night praying to God to help, give me clarity, make this pain go away."
As she endured this heartache in the public eye, Vanessa chose to ignore the hate and internet trolls.
"I chose to stay silent for my peace," she noted. "I believe when you feed into the gossip, it just makes things worse. I chose to stay silent. I chose for my son's peace to stay silent."
But after that painful chapter, Vanessa is in a great place and has even found love with basketball player James Karnik, whom she began dating in 2022.
"I'm so happy I have such a good partner," she added, "but that pain, I don't wish it on anybody."
Keep reading to learn more about the love lives of Riverdale's stars.
Lili Reinhart
After splitting from Cole Sprouse in early 2020 after three years of dating, the actress sparked romance rumors with Ozark actor Spencer Neville in April 2022 at Coachella, which seemingly fizzled. And a year later, she revealed her relationship with actor Jack Martin when the couple was seen sharing a passionate kiss at the Los Angeles International Airport.
In June 2020, Lili also opened up about her sexuality, sharing on Instagram, "Although I've never announced it publicly before, I am a proud bisexual woman."
The Riverdale golden boy, known as Archie Andrews, previously kept his lips sealed about his off-screen dating life. However, in early February 2020, the actor confirmed his romance with model Clara Berry, although she revealed on TikTok that they had split in February 2024. The former couple welcomed their son, Sasha, in September 2021, and Clara revealed they've been coparenting since their breakup.
Cole Sprouse
The 28-year-old actor has moved on from his Riverdale romance. In February 2021, Cole seemingly confirmed he's dating Canadian model and influencer Ari Fournier.
The Riverdale co-stars dated for more than a year before E! News learned in December 2019 that they had split. While they were spotted out together in June 2021, the two have since moved on.
Camila sparked romance rumors with internet personality Rudy Mancuso in November 2022 and confirmed their relationship January 2023. As for Charles, he dated Chase Sui Wonders in 2022 before moving on with Chloe Bennet the following May. Although TMZ reported they split in December 2023.
The Riverdale star is married! News of his wedding to Nichola Basara comes one year after he announced their engagement on Instagram. On Dec. 19, 2021, the actor tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend with his Riverdale co-stars in attendance, including Camila Mendes, Madelaine Petsch, Vanessa Morgan, KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart and Drew Ray Tanner.
The Scream star shares two children with his first wife, Georgina Cates. The former couple called it quits in 2005. Ulrich was married to Amelia Jackson-Gray for three years, but the duo went their separate ways in 2015. The actor sparked engagement rumors with model Megan Blake Irwin, but his rep clarified to E! News in May 2020 they are not engaged. He was most recently linked to Lucy Hale, however, their whirlwind romance came to an end in April 2021.
This newcomer has made her way into fans' hearts as Toni Topaz. In July 2019, the actress announced her engagement to baseball player Michael Kopech, known for previously being in a relationship with Brielle Biermann. The couple wed in early January 2020, with Morgan announcing she was expecting in July. Kopech has since filed for divorce.
In 2022, the Wild Cards actress confirmed her relationship with basketball player James Karnik.
After three years together, E! News learned in February 2020 that the actress and boyfriend Travis Mills had called it quits. In the last few months, fans have speculated that she's dating Olympic fencer, Miles Chamley. But in August 2022, she began dating Anthony Li, Halsey's longtime manager.
"It's been a cute 9 years of knowing you," she wrote on Instagram while celebrating their anniversary, "but even cuter 1 year of dating you."
The actress has kept fans guessing when it comes to her love life. Although she hasn't publicly confirmed a relationship, the CW star shared several sweet snapshots of her and her rumored beau on Instagram.
Relationship goals! The actor has been married to talk-show host Kelly Ripa for more than 25 years (!!), with who he shares three children. Consuelos can often be found posting adorable pictures of his wife and family on social media.